Otaku doesn't carry the same weight in my area as it does in Japan. The term is defined and looked upon much more loosely. In Japan, otaku carries numerous negative implications and is an extremely disrespectful way of describing someone. But here in America, it seems as though an otaku is simply someone who enjoys anime. Although, I am sure plenty of anime fans in the US would strongly disagree. If someone called me an otaku, and the context basically said, "You're a worthless and perverted criminal that should spend the rest of his life in prison," I would certainly take offense to it. But if someone calls me an otaku because I enjoy anime, then that is that and I'll gladly carry on with my day. I think the cultural differences and the context in which the word is used determines whether or not the word is offensive or derogatory; to me at least.

In hindsight, I probably should have chosen my SN a little more carefully instead of doing it while I was drunk after watching the second half of Oreimo for the xth time. Otaku does carry a relatively negative connotation, even in the U.S. I think getting upset over words is a stupid waste of energy and time. All in all, criminals are one thing, and enjoying anime is another. Just as the definition of insanity has changed over the years, so has the definition and connotations associated with the word "otaku" when used in the US. I may be wrong, but when it comes right down to it, I don't really care if I am. I like anime, and being an otaku isn't a bad thing.

I'd take it as a compliment. But seeing that as of late casual Anime viewers are calling themselves Otaku, I don't really give a damn. I'm an addict beyond help(and would refuse any), that's all I need to know.

Im sure alot of people dont know what an otaku is in this country, but i they did they would just say thats a nerd. Your right I dont think some people really view it negative but then there are some who probabaly think that lifestyle is socially unhealthy and weird like they do in japan. I always thought that I was an otaku for a lil while, but I just love anime and manga. I think if I had a bunch of figures, and posters in my room, and cosplayed a bit, I'd label myself as one......but I don't. sO.

I personally don't like the label and would prefer not to be called an Otaku since I always think of the japanese meaning. I also do get a bit bothered when someone calls themselves an Otaku, but hey! if they like to call themselves that then who am I to judge?

I don't take it as an insult.
I watch anime, play games and doujin games, read visual novels, light novels, manga.
Listen to japanese music, bought my first two bishoujo figurines recently and have anime wallscrolls.
Got a girlfriend and she doesn't mind either, life's good to be honest.

I'm pretty sure the original is very offensive over in Japan, but anywhere else just liking anime and owning a few figures is enough to be branded one. I dislike the word 'weeaboo' more. There's just something about it that really pisses me off. Like if someone makes a comment on Youtube with an anime picture as their icon, it annoys me when someone who disagrees with them says 'gtfo you're one of those weird fucking Japanese weeaboos' like they're calling everyone who likes anime someone who's obsessed with everything Japanese.

This is rather interesting to me, seeing the people that consider the word bad or offensive. While I understand the opinion and view points, in my opinion, I consider myself an Otaku. Do I think it's a bad word? No. I think it is a word that has gotten a bad rep because of several incidents by people that happen to be Otaku, which is completely understandable.

I, personally, twitch when I hear that someone is a Christian because of the 1% of the 1% that are complete jerks and are ruining the meaning of the gospel they try to preach. (That said, I'm not attacking anyone, just stating an opinion about a small group of people that annoy me.)

When I go to a convention, I consider myself to be around other otaku because I believe they are just as in love with anime as I am. You could actually argue that the word fag is the same as the word otaku in that in Britain fag means cigarette and here in the states it's a derrogatory word for a gay person. In Japan, otaku is a word for a dangerous, socio/psychopathic person in love with anime while I believe many of the anime fans in the states consider themselves to be otaku and are proud of it.

In short, I believe the meaning and/or whether or not the word is good or bad depends on the region in which you live.

I am an Otaku and I embrace the word and the positive meaning I believe it has in my area.

It's a strange thing, it is both while being neither at the same time. You have people who are fans who go OTT which is seen as negative, yet they are not hurting anyone or anything. There's the people who go the other way though, just as there is evil in every region of the world.

The actions of the few determine the image of the whole. In short, 1 person does evil, the race/belief/lifestyle of that individual suddenly causes a negative impact on the rest of that group.

It's also a cultural thing, being in the uk, most people know nothing of otaku. I grew up knowing nothing of the incidents in japan, so I've only seen it as mostly good until the last 3-5 years. I've always believed it was a clever way of spinning the words nerd/geek.

I was constantly name called, many i wish no one call another. So someone joked it to me, I knew not what otaku was. I searched & found only what the usa meant.

I loved it from day 1, how could I not. I turned their insults back on them, I was proud to say I like anime/games/movies, that there was more to them than just killing/blood/explosions/adult nature. That there was art there, a story with depth & characters you felt for.

So I've never been ashamed of being what I am. I am not offended by being called otaku, for it to me is the geek of geeks. The very best, the most unique people, the ones who see & comprehend so much more than anyone else.

There will always be conflicts of opinions, but I see no evil in the name otaku, but only in the individuals.

I don't like the term. I would just say a nerd or hardcore fan, I don't like using words in other languages that can be said in my own. Saying stuff like moe, kawaii or arigatou in real life just randomly really makes me cringe. Can't take people that take being an anime/manga fan to that level.